People wonder if I've given up this fic, again no. Unfortunately balancing a part time job, mental health and a social life aren't easy. This month has been really busy for me so updates and writing haven't been great. Also if you like my work please follow me as MangaBitch on A03 or my non fiction works on FictionPress under EmilyRowan 3

Also I chose the name InuYuki over InuYasha because her hair was silver white like snow, so it seemed cute. And Kichirou is Japanese for protector, so it seemed to fit. I hope you like the update and please understand my dips in writing


InuYuki glared at the villagers with bitterness and a rising hostility, she wondered if she was acting like a brat, overthinking and being childish. Needing to cool her head but she had always trusted her intuition, it was what kept her alive all this time. She was beyond touched that so many had accepted her so quickly, including the elderly villagers, giving her offerings, making her a cloak for the colder seasons if she had to hunt or help slay demons. Many asking her to help in the field work or with their chores that they couldn't manage alone which she gladly helped with. Many of the village children asking her to play, following her around and even stroking her hair and ears, which at first she found annoying but had since stopped caring about. The children were so gentle and gazed at her with wide curious eyes and wonder. But that didn't mean everyone treated her the same, there was a strong distrust towards demons which she understood. Some still showed her hostility and even treated her like a rival. But she had proven herself as trustworthy and not an enemy, they had no right to treat her this way, let alone make moves on her mate.

Kichirou was surrounded by village women of all ages, some older females who were married with children of their own giving him blessings and offerings. All of them thanking him for exorcising demons, making them medicine or keeping the village safe. But then younger village girls too, some younger than himself and some a few years older, all gushing over him and giving him doe eyes. She didn't find it hard to see why but it hurt all the same and she hated it, a sharp pain shooting through her heart, stabbing deeper and deeper. Feeling like something precious was being ripped from her, she had never known love since her mother had passed. The only person to show her kindness in her life, never believing she was deserving of happiness. Though Kichirou was a monk, sworn to his duty of protecting the jewel and the village, he was still a man. Human nature desired procreation and intimacy, it laid in the very core of their being. He'd been forced to sacrifice all selfish desires that may distract or deter him from his path, including romance, it was what allowed his power to grow stronger, reaching his full potential. So he was naive to love and attraction, due to never acting on his feelings and learning to deter them, he would never acknowledge when someone was attracted to him. Due to his good looks, his silky black hair, intense brown eyes and pale complexion, he was very handsome for a human, even she could attest to this. This caused many young girls in the village to develop crushes on him, many gossiping about him, whispering and sharing daydreams of unobtainable romance. Loads of girls brought him offerings, batting their eyelashes at him and hoping to keep him company. All looking for excuses to become part of his life, his inner circle. Asking to help with herb picking, praying at the temple etc. Flirting with him, asking him to come by their hut for tea or asking if he liked their rouge or perfume, all blatant forms of flirting. The rage InuYuki felt at their bluntness, attempting to wedge themselves into his life, trying to replace her. She could sense their rage towards her, their jealous gaze and bitterness, wishing they were in her place. However, some carried common sense and knew better than to tempt fate, not wishing to be on the wrong side of her temper. InuYuki was no killer, she didn't carry the shameless urge for battle and destruction like other demons, like her warlord half brother. She never enjoyed bloodshed and senseless violence, she fought to survive but she never to cause pain and suffering. The apathy to suffering all demons harboured, the pleasure of destroying lives, of craving power, growing stronger. But she knew how to scare them off without raising a hand, glaring down at them, cracking her claws, growling, or just being passive aggressive. Some had backed off since her arrival in the village, unable to compete with her affections for Kichirou, nobody was blind to the way he looked at her, the way he never had to hide his emotions around her. The genuine warmth and tenderness he expressed with her. Intimidated by her demonic beauty and presence, the power she exuded, her stunning golden amber eyes and silver hair. But the human part of her, the weakness her brother called it, the blood she had inherited from the mother he hated. It feared he would choose someone else, that he would leave her.


Kichirou sat in the temple reflectively, praying to the gods to protect their village and the temple, channelling his powers that created the barrier around the village. Keeping them safe, deterring attacks and deflecting demonic presence. But lately, he had become distracted, worried, he needed time to reflect and contemplate. InuYuki had not been herself lately, something troubled her and it was becoming glaringly obvious, she refused to express her feelings with him. Everyone in the village was becoming worried as to what had upset her and why she internalised it. Isolating herself from the villagers and hiding her heart from him. Though he had a feeling why, what was causing the root of her problems and what was hurting her so much. As a priest he was bound to remain pure, sacrificing any relationship, focusing on the endless battles against demonkind and protecting humanity from their influence and threat. But he had found himself falling in love and could no longer ignore the feelings within his heart, how his views had changed as had his mission. Though many women had made passes at him, batted their eyes and made propositions, asking him to become their lover. He couldn't return their affection, many of them reacting coldly or bitterly when he expressed his heart to the Hanyou who helped protect the village. He was content with InuYuki, his mutually lonely soul unable to connect with those around him, nobody could change how he felt and the path he chose to follow. He empathised with the women's heartbreak, but he wouldn't allow them to treat InuYuki coldly as a response. His life was drastically different from the normality of the villagers, unable to know the mundane life they had. He found peace with her, he loved her for who she was, a half demon, a troubled lonely soul seeking her place in the world. She loved him for who he was, a lonely, conflicted, philosophical young priest with a forced burden upon his shoulders. She had changed his life in so many ways, for the better, giving him a new perspective on life and realising all the things he had desired but could never have. He had always seen his duty as an obligation, nothing more. A priest was born to defend the world from demonic influence and keep humanity from falling prey to their influence. But now he had something to fight for, someone to fight alongside him, understanding now that not all demons were cruel or evil.

InuYuki would protect him come hell or high water, she would put her life on the line for him, Kaede and the village. Realising it was fate that they met, entering the others lives and forever changing them. He could never look at another woman, not when she had stolen his heart, if he was to ever have a family, share a life with someone she would be that person. However, he wasn't ignorant to how these actions had deeply hurt her, her trust already fragile due to years of mistreatment by her older half brother, demons and humans. InuYuki was half human, she had rare empathy most demons didn't, she could be hurt just like anyone else. It would explain why she had been sulking for so long, though she was terrible at hiding it. But then InuYuki had been neglected affection from the moment her mother died, reaching out to others for comfort only to be met with hatred, disgust and loneliness. He was the first person she had opened up to and truly loved, her stubbornness making it hard to lower her guard. Instead conveying her feelings in subtle gestures, clinging to him, gripping his robe sleeve, holding his hand, following him like a shadow and nuzzling him. Gently asking for his attention, reminding him of her presence and making sure he was never alone. But she also ignored him, keeping her distance, giving him the cold shoulder and glaring at him, moodier than usual and short tempered. She was giving him payback for being blind to her feelings, reminding him she was hurt and that she felt ignored. Growing frustrated that he didn't understand what was hurting her. Protecting herself by keeping her distance from him. Ever since the women of the village began to flirt, ever since their presence became repetitive around him, her mood had worsened. Storming off for hours on end, coming home merely when hungry, her eyes red and pretending she hadn't been crying, lying about her feelings and avoiding the subject. Kaede was beginning to worry about her, asking Kichirou if they had a fight, respecting her privacy but watching her leave with worry. They had to speak about this, he needed to make things right.


InuYuki and Kichirou sat upon the hill together, gazing at the quiet village as the sun began to sit, staining the sky in deep blood red, glowing orange and even luminous pink, like a fire burning the sky, gazing at the view in content peace. The village was becoming quiet, many finishing their chores for the day, tending to their cattle and settling into their huts. Without the intrusion of villagers to pester them, meaning they could have privacy together, now was a better time as any. Kichirou had half expected her to insult him or turn him down when he asked her if she wished to go for a walk with him. She clearly needed space and she was figuring through her feelings, instead of making a scene and scaring villagers. But she blessedly accepted his request, sensing his genuine remorse and glad to have the alone time with him. The spring flowers were in bloom, cherry blossoms falling around them, their sweet perfume filling the air and some even falling on them. InuYuki kept her distance, sitting nearby but further away than usual, her head tucked atop her knees, pouting. He knew if he said the wrong thing, made her uncomfortable or upset her in any way, she would bolt and it would be a while before he saw her again. She was still upset with him. Kichirou had released his hair from the ribbon he used, allowing it to flow freely, wrapping the ribbon around his wrist. The tension was heavy in the air, unspoken words lingering in the uncomfortable silence. He sighed heavily, they needed to talk about this maturely, avoiding the subject would make matters worse. He didn't want to fight anymore, he was tired of her avoiding him, he needed her to understand that he was sorry. He didn't want to cause her any more pain, she was withdrawing into herself more and more. Though involuntarily and unintentionally, he had caused InuYuki pain, he needed to amend this.

"Gomen InuYuki, I have upset you, though that was never my intention to do so. I have never paid any of these village women any mind before, I suppose some still have a deep seeded hatred for demons. Seeing you as an enemy or rival for my attention. Until now my life has been centred around my priest duties and raising Kaede. But you are my family now, as my lover I should have been more empathetic" he apologised. He needed her to know he was sorry, though neither of this had been their fault, he hadn't helped matters. But they had been cruel to InuYuki, they isolated her and flirted with him despite knowing they were involved. But she mattered him, he couldn't lose her, he needed to take responsibility.

InuYuki softened, her rage lessening, his apology was sincere and heartfelt, which she appreciated. Sometimes Kichirou could be so dense it frustrated her to no end, he had the power to say no, reject the village women and explain his disinterest. But she knew he could never have a relationship with any of them, it would never come close to the bond they shared. None of them truly understood him the way she did, they only saw the mask, the false persona he conveyed to them, how he hid a part of himself from them. They never understood how lonely, frustrated and conflicted he felt, until now he could never connect with someone. She knew Kichirou was devoted to her, he'd proven it time and time again, he'd never paid any other woman any mind. The affection, devotion and loyalty he showered her with was purely directed at her, the way he would kiss her, patting her head, tickling her ears, hugging her by surprise. Teasing her but never hurting her feelings. Sometimes she worried she would become selfish with how kind he was to her, whether she was worthy of this level of kindness. The kind of love she wished she had known growing up, but it still upset her that human women looked at him the same way she did, that there were women who wanted him for themselves. That the happiness she had found they wanted to rip away from her. She wasn't naive to the gossip some of them had, saying she had corrupted and tainted Kichirou with her demonic presence. Unlike herself, if they consumated a relationship they would be far more accepted than herself, they would have a normal life. "t's fine...you didn't mean to" she mumbled, she had missed him, it had hurt to be away from him, she'd just been childish. Her brother would have told her she was acting like a brat, embarrassing her demon blood and should have stood her ground. She didn't want them to think of her as a monster, scaring them off like a demon would, but she wanted to protect him.

Kichirou smiled, slowly getting to his feet, they had wasted too much time arguing and avoiding one another. It was time to make up for lost time now that they had privacy. InuYuki flinched, was he going to leave her? After all that? She didn't want him to leave, even though she wasn't mad at him anymore? She then felt his presence behind her, his arms wrapping around her and nuzzling her shoulder, breathing in her perfume, the softness of her hair tickling his face. She had forgotten how warm he was, the outline of his muscles pressed against her back, her ears twitching in embarrassment. Kichirou wanted to spoil her, he wanted to hold her close and remind her of how special she was to him. He could see her ears twitching and he couldn't help but smile, revealing her true feelings. How he had missed holding her close like this. InuYuki felt her cheeks darkened, matching the colour of the robe of the fire rat, her heart fluttering, it was hard to stay mad at him. She had been lonely without him and how much she had craved him. She could feel the smell the oils he used on his hair and skin, the herbal tonics he used for wounds he gained in battle the ones he made from flowers. Sensing his desire for her, how much he wanted to kiss her, touch her, the urge to comfort her, the urge to claim her. "K... Kichirou..." she stammered, her voice weak and breathy.

"Gomen, I want to spoil you... just for a little while, please. I've missed you" he begged, he was touch starved, he needed to be close to her. She had every right to be mad at him after he made her feel insecure, but he was still a man, Kami be damned. He had missed how soft she was, the silkiness of her hair, the gentle perfume of her skin, he had missed her cuddling him in their hut, falling asleep beside her. Watching her sleep, how soft and gentle she looked. He wanted to shower her in the affection she had been denied all this time, he wanted her all to himself.

InuYuki sighed heavily, her expression softening, how could she resist when he spoke to her like that? She could hear the need in his voice, how much he wanted her, needed her. She felt like an idiot but she just loved him so much, she had lost so much already, she couldn't lose him too. She had never felt so safe with anyone before, let someone in the way she had him, how deep he had become into her soul, ingrained into every fibre of her. "Don't let any other woman touch you but me" she growled, this time if they got too close she wouldn't hold back on scaring them off. He was her mate, being half demon she took this stuff seriously, the bond they formed with their chosen partner was serious. She'd imprinted on him, her scent was all over him and she had a mind to bite him too. Anyone would be able to tell, anyone would be able to sense they were together. If any demons got the wrong idea they would notice. Only he was allowed to touch her and vice versa, it was like an engagement or marriage in the demon world.

Kichirou smiled, she was so cute when she was jealous, she became more honest with her feelings. But he knew he would act the same way if a man so much as looked at her, his expresion would become scary and he would chase him off without warning. The same protective nature to scare off a rival, to protect what was yours. Her face matched her robe of the fire rat, the red of the sunset before them. She looked so unbelievably cute his heart swelled with love, his cute little InuYokai Hanyou.


Kichirou and InuYuki wandered through the village, his hand intertwined with hers, she was still blushing profusely but she had calmed. The village was peacefully asleep and winding down for the night, he was eagerly anticipating being able to cuddle her under their blankets, he had missed her sleeping beside him. She would be warm, safe, loved and able to return to her everyday life. She had been dearly missed. Kaede would be relieved she had finally come home, he wouldn't keep waiting for her to come home, asking around for her and searching for her on the sly. Things felt normal again, they had regained their pattern. Suddenly, Kaede appeared, his gaze falling between the two curiously, wondering whether they were in the midst of a conversation, if he was interrupting or if they were still fighting. He saw their intertwined hands and smiled "So, you two finally made up?" he asked.

InuYuki blushed, Kaede was a perceptive child and he was able to perceive situations painfully well. She didn't feel like explaining everything right now but she was glad to know he had been worried for her. Kichirou smiled "Hai, Kaede, can you make sure we have enough supper for three and look out the spare blanket for InuYuki?" he asked. She would be exhausted, hungry and eager to rest, safer in their hut than she would be alone. Nobody to hunt her down, harm her etc. She was back where she belonged. Kaede nodded, but he smiled slightly at the two with a knowing look, wondering how much grovelling his brother had to do. He then headed back to the hut with haste. "He was worried too, he may not say it aloud but he considers you an older sister" Kichirou smiled, for so long it had been only the two of them after their parents died. He admired InuYuki and looked up to her, as much as he did himself. The time in which she was missing from their lives he became visibly distressed, waiting for her return. InuYuki shifted "He's a good kid..." she mumbled, at times he reminded her of herself growing up, stubborn, willful and naive. But he cared about his brother as much as she did. He was the little brother she never had, though it took time they warmed up to each other. Kichirou smiled, leading her back to the hut. He wouldn't let her go again.